Books are one of my favourite things and one of my life goals is to design a book cover for an actual printed book, preferably a YA or Fantasy novel but I’m not picky.

Beautiful lettering is a huge draw for me when it comes to book covers, which would probably be no surprise to you all. I am very much all for a pretty and snazzy typography based cover over an impactful illustration, but I won’t say no to the latter either. So a lot of my choices do fall into the category of excellent lettering and typography but there are some that are a little different. Oh and there may be a fair amount of foiling involved too… Prepare yourself for a photo heavy blog post because of course I’m going to include the book cover images, I’m not going to make you google them don’t you worry!

The Art of Harry Potter

Funny story, while I have raved how much I love Jessica Hische I didn’t actually realise until after purchasing this book that she did the lettering. I half bought it for the cover and half bought it for my love of Harry Potter and ‘Art of’ books. It wasn’t until recording a podcast of excellent book covers did I discover while raving about the cover that it was Jessica Hische’s work.

The Vintage Springtime Club by Beatrice Meier

I got this book while working with a Publisher and chose it to read and review solely for the cover, turns out the story was very different to what I was expecting but I actually really enjoyed it. While the lettering is not perfect I really love this cover, it takes you right into that sweet village and makes you feel right at home.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Barnes and Noble x Jessica Hische edition

This collection between Barnes and Noble and Jessica Hische totally made me try out her Skillshare class on book covers. Don’t worry this is the last Jessica Hische book on the list! The Pride and Prejudice cover is my favourite of the series as it’s so simple yet elegant. I really need to read Pride and Prejudice, maybe if I got a hold of this copy it may make me more likely to read it.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay

Another book bought solely on my love of the cover and Harry Potter, although this also includes my love of gold foiling. Even though I prefer silver in general to gold, gold foiling will always be my love. There wasn’t really a need to own this book as I’d already watched the film but a chance to have some MinaLima artwork on my shelves was hard to pass up.

The Binding by Bridget Collins

I’m going to be frank with you, I got this book purely because of the cover and the fact that the idea of a story about bookbinding sounded cool… but I hated the book. I’ve heard other people love it though so don’t let me put you off. The over is excellent though, it’s the kind of cover you continue to see new things in every time you pick it up.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

One of few that fits more into impactful illustration and boy is it worth it! The more you look at the illustration the more you see, the white space faces cut into the scythe pole is just excellent. My only problem with this series, even with their excellent covers, is the colour scheme; the first is red, the second is green, and then the third is green again. I wish it were another colour, then I would be perfectly happy with these covers.

Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery, Puffin in Bloom edition

This was the first fancy classic book I owned. I love Anne of Green Gables, even though I read it as a teen instead of a child like most others, so I knew it would be the first Puffin in Bloom book I bought. Illustrated by Anna Bond of Rifle Paper co the floral designs are purely beautiful like everything else to come out of Rifle Paper co.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

I have to say I was thoroughly confused why there was a moth on the cover of this book until I read it and then it made complete sense. The simple design combined with the intricate patterns of the moth all embossed in gold foil is just *chefs kiss* perfection. Once you’ve read the book more and more aspects of the cover makes so much sense, but I won’t give you any spoilers, you’ll have to read it yourself.

The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith

This is one I’ve actually not read, nor do I own it. It’s a children’s book so not really high on my list of owning other than the fact that it is beautiful. Not only is the cover beautiful but the illustrations on the inside are just as magical. I will own this one day, but probably when I have kids.

More Than This by Patrick Ness

I haven’t read or owned this book either but it’s one that’s stuck with me. Out of all the books I’ve seen and read, this book cover is for some reason fried into my brain so I recognise it anywhere. Frankly I don’t even know what it’s about but I will read it at some point in my life just because the cover has stuck with me.

Shout out to The Book Thief who’s cover I love but it’s not really an amazing cover or anything it’s just my favourite book so I just also love the cover (the one with Liesl and death dancing).

If you own a book with a fantastic cover send me the link, I’m always on the look out for more books for my shelves especially if they have great covers.

- Sophie

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10 amazing fiction book cover designs